Government eyes veggie alternative for gelatin capsule coating

NEW DELHI: The government is considering a proposal to replace animal-based gelatin with plant cellulose for the coating of capsules, in a bid to offer people a vegetarian alternative.

While the proposal already has an in-principle approval from the country's top drug regulator, the Union health ministry has now forwarded it to a scientific committee headed by Professor C K Kokate, who is also evaluating the case of irrational combination drugs.

"We want to be 100% sure about the safety and efficacy of plant cellulose because gelatin has been in use for ages. Therefore, we have forwarded all the scientific literature and data to the scientific panel. The committee's recommendations are likely to be final on this matter as it already has an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)," a senior official in the health ministry said.

The health ministry will take the final call based on the committee's suggestion. Gelatin is manufactured from processed bones, skin and tissue of cattle, pigs and other animals.

Apart from medicines, gelatin is also widely used in food products as a gelling agent, and in toiletries. The regulator has held discussions and taken suggestions from stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry and consumers.

According to the official, the proposal forwarded to the scientific panel for evaluation includes all such suggestions along with data. While the proposal has the support of various quarters within the government, it has been so far opposed by the pharmaceutical industry as it is estimated to add to their manufacturing cost.

However, officials say the cost may not be significant with the technology available, and it would not be mandatory for companies. The idea is to provide consumers with a choice, especially when the technology is available. The over Rs 1 lakh crore Indian pharmaceutical industry extensively depends on gelatin.

Almost 80% of any pharmaceutical company's products are either capsules or tablets. Capsules make up at least 40% of the total. The Bureau of Indian Standards has already framed standards, norms and guidelines for making vegetarian capsules, the official said.

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